Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Clinton Portis

"On the topic of Vick facing possible charges for dog fighting, Portis opened with, "I think people should mind their business, you know. I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property, his dog, if that's what he wants to do, do it."

In watching the video of the interview, I'm as startled as the interviewer (who really went out of his way to inform Portis and allow him to backtrack) by Portis's callous disregard for animal cruelty. I wonder how Portis would feel if we substituted the term "pit bull" for "slave during the 1850s". Sure, dogs aren't people (obviously), but neither were Africans considered "people" during the early 1800s. One would hope that in these more enlightened times, a barbaric, inhumane activity such as dog fighting would not only be shunned, but that those few who did enjoy a bit of canine carnage would be embarrassed to proclaim their fandom in public.

Well, at least Portis is being honest. If we saw more honesty from professional athletes, it might actually be possible for us to hold a lower opinion of them.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6836960?MSNHPHMA